EDTA Curriculum
The EDTA-MA requires 39-42 credits of graduate coursework.
The curriculum for this program is divided into four primary categories of courses:
Content Core Foundation (16-19 credits)
General Pedagogical Core (6 credits)
Specialized Pedagogical Core (11 credits)
Student Teaching (6 credits)
The Content Core includes 13-16 credits of Art Form Specialization. 3 credits of this requirement are for MPAET-GE 2088 American Theatre II: Contemporary Playwrights of Color. The remaining courses are educational theatre electives in dramatic literature, acting, directing, playwriting, design, and community engagement. Students are encouraged to seek out courses in areas in which they are not currently proficient in order to balance out their subject-matter knowledge such that they can diversify their curriculum based on the needs of their future students. Suggested courses include:
Fall:
Intro to Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed
Creating Ethnodrama & Documentary Theatre
Studies in Directing
Physical Theatre
Beginning Playwriting
Intro to Theatre for Young Audiences
Spring:
American Theatre II: Contemporary Playwrights of Color (required for all students)
Facilitating Theatre of the Oppressed in Communities
Images of Women in Theatre
Advanced Directing
The Ethnoactor and Verbatim Performance
Advanced Playwriting
Design Course (Design for the Stage, Costume Design, Lighting Design - these three courses rotate in a three year cycle)
In spring of year 1, most students will have 1 credit available for Art Form Specialization. 1 credit Art Form Specialization options include:
Storytelling in the Classroom
Exploring Social Issues through Drama
Drama Across the Curriculum and Beyond
Full time student complete at least 9 credits of coursework each semester which may or may not include the summer session. Our summer session offers a few courses that are only offered at that time (including our study abroad courses); as such, many students elect to avail themselves of these unique opportunities for concentrated study.
A part time student will complete 4.5-8 credits of coursework each semester which may or may not include the summer session—though most part time students complete 6 credits per semester.
Sample programs of study for full and part time study are available on the following page.
Notes:
All international students who have not completed a previous degree at NYU are recommended to take SAHS-GE 2003 New Graduate Student Seminar for International Students, a 0 credit extended orientation experience during their first semester of study at NYU Steinhardt. Students should direct any questions about the New Graduate Student Seminar to Nick Voelker.
To be recommended for certification to teach Theatre, All Grades, candidates must have completed a minimum of 30 credits in Theatre.
Minimum GPA
Students in this program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a term GPA of 2.5.
Minimum Grades
Effective Fall 2025, students must obtain a B- or better in MPAET-GE 2134 [and MPAET-GE 2174 for EDTA] to count toward their degree progress. These courses can be attempted a maximum of two times. Attempts include C+ or lower in MPAET-GE 2134 and MPAET-GE 2174 final grades as well as course withdrawals; term withdrawals/leaves of absence do not factor into the number of attempts.
Students who obtain a C+ or lower in MPAET-GE 2134 [and MPAET-GE 2174 for EDTA] will be reviewed by the Committee on Student Progress for Notice of Academic Alert or Notice of Academic Concern. Students who are not able to complete and pass MPAET-GE 2134 [and MPAET-GE 2174 for EDTA] with a B- after two attempts will be reviewed by the Committee on Student Progress for Notice of Academic Concern or dismissal.
